25 Self-Care Gifts for New Moms

New moms and dads need support; that’s why the adage, it takes a village, exists. 

For tens of thousands of years, the human community would come together to help new moms out.

There were people to help her give birth, teach her how to breastfeed, watch her older kids, and provide companionship and advice. A sister, neighbor, aunt, mom, or friend was always nearby to help when needed. 

But, unfortunately, in modern days, we often live far away from our families, grandmas work full-time jobs, and friends are busy with their own families.

Still, today’s parents, especially new moms, need helping hands and support. 

Moms often sacrifice self-care to ensure everyone is taken care of, and having a new baby is particularly challenging if you have an older kid or two to care for too. 

Related: I Should Practice Self Care, Why Don't I?

If you have a new mother or soon-to-be new mom in your life, we’ve compiled a list of 25 gifts that promote self-care for her. Some of these gifts cost nothing more than your time and effort and offer a real treat postpartum. 

So if you are looking for the best gifts for new moms, take a peek at our gift guide below, which is full of gift ideas perfect for birthdays, Christmas, Mother’s Day, Valentine’s Day, or simply just because!

Pre-Baby Gifts for Mom

New mom pampering can begin before the baby is born! These gift ideas make excellent baby shower gifts and can pamper or prepare new parents with some much-needed supplies!

1. Gift Cards

You don’t have to be a new parent to enjoy receiving a gift card, but gift cards to mom’s favorite restaurant or coffee shop will come in handy when a new baby arrives! 

You can also treat the mom-to-be to gift cards where she can buy baby gear like Target, Amazon, or a local shop that sells baby clothes and toys. 

Another option is to give her a gift card to a store like Sephora or Ulta so she can buy some of her favorite products to pamper herself. 

The best part about gift cards is that mom can use them when she needs to or wants to, and most have no expiration date. 

2. Luxury Diaper Bag

A well-equipped diaper bag can be a lifesaver for new parents. If a mom already has a diaper bag on her baby registry, consider shelling out the bucks or splitting the gift with others. If you’re a mom already, you’ll know what features on your diaper bag were necessary and which ones you could live without. 

Many diaper bags look like luxury purses or can transition to a purse once the baby no longer needs all that gear every place they go.

Companies from Nordstrom to Saks Fifth Avenue all sell designer diaper bags that can make moms feel pampered.

If you’re looking for a bag that has it all and comes with an affordable price tag, check out the Dagne Dover Small Indi Diaper Backpack. 

Its compact size is perfect for moms on the go, but it still has plenty of room for all the essentials. Plus, it is hands-free, making it easier to push a stroller or carry the baby from place to place. 

3. Essential Oils

If the mom-to-be you know is into aromatherapy, consider gifting her an essential oils pack or oil diffuser. Aromatherapy is an excellent calming tool while giving birth and pre-labor, it can reduce stress and headaches and help moms relax.

Not all essential oils are considered safe during pregnancy or for babies, so do your research before choosing a set. According to WebMD, the following scents are safe for pregnant moms during all three trimesters:

• Cardamom may reduce morning sickness and nausea
• Frankincense may stimulate relaxation and promote a good night’s sleep 
• Geranium promotes a positive mood 
• German or Roman chamomile stimulates calm and relaxation
• Ginger can help with morning sickness and nausea
• Lavender is relaxing and helps obtain a good night's sleep 
• Lemon improves your mood and alertness
• Neroli stimulates calm, relaxation, and a good night's sleep 
• Patchouli may improve mood and promote feelings of happiness
• Petitgrain stimulates calm and sleep
• Rose and rosewood create calm and promote good sleep
• Sandalwood improves your mood
• Wild orange improves your mood and increases alertness

4. Foot Massager

A heated foot massager or foot bath is a great gift for expecting moms, especially those working or caring for older children who spend a lot of time on their feet. 

A heated foot spa with rolling massagers is the best of both worlds and will help with mom’s swollen feet and ankles.

Check out this temperature-controlled Foot Spa Massager from Medical King. For under $50, it is the perfect gift for any mama-to-be!

5. Heated Neck Pillow 

To go along with her foot spa, create the ultimate spa experience by giving the mom-to-be a heated neck and back pillow.

We recommend the Papillion Back Massager on Amazon. Heat, various massage settings, and the ability to use it sitting or lying down make this gadget the perfect gift for expecting mothers. Plus, it is a gift she can continue using during postpartum recovery as she’s dealing with sleepless nights and night feedings!

Postpartum Pampering Gifts

There’s a lot of pampering that occurs pre-baby. Baby showers, babymoons, gifts, etc., are part of the lead-up to a newborn baby. But moms need pampering post-birth or arrival too! If you’re looking for inspiration for a thoughtful gift you can give postpartum that will provide some pampering to mom, consider one of the following five ideas. 

6. Spa Gift Set

Can’t afford to give mom a day at the spa? Then give her the gift of a spa gift set. You can find pre-made sets on Etsy at all different price points. Or, you could put together a gift basket full of your favorite mommy-pampering items. 

Items to include are:

• Moisturizing creams or lotions
• Comfy leggings
• A large water bottle (she’ll need that if she’s breastfeeding!)
• Bath bombs or bubble bath
• Cozy socks or slippers
• A satin pillowcase
• Scented candles
• Lip balm
• Essential oils
• Bath salts

7. Massage Appointment

Sleep-deprived mamas need a break now and then, and few things are more relaxing and better for one’s wellness than a massage. 

If you can’t afford an entire massage, purchase a gift card for a local spa parlor that she can put towards treatment, or purchase a less costly treatment like a 30-minute foot or scalp massage or nail appointment. 

8. Snack Care Package

New moms may find it challenging to get to the grocery store, so you can help the new mama in your life by putting together a gift box of their favorite snacks. She needs extra calories and energy if she is breastfeeding, and she’ll also appreciate having some of her favorite comfort foods on hand for those more stressful moments and days.

Not sure what she likes? Purchase a gift card to her local grocery store or coffee shop that delivers!

9. Weighted Blanket

Weighted blankets are among the most comforting items out there! Using one feels like Olaf would say, a warm hug! If you’re unsure how she’d feel about a weighted blanket, consider the Samiah Luxe Chunky Knit Blanket on Amazon. 

This luxuriously soft blanket is perfect for mom to cozy up with her little one or all by herself. In addition, this super soft blanket is machine washable and won’t pill!

10. Comfy PJs or Bathrobe

Bottle and breastfeeding moms will be waking up in the middle of the night to feed their little ones, so consider gifting them some cozy PJs or a robe with easy access for nursing moms. 

Check out these adorable maternity and nursing thermal PJs from Ekouaer on Amazon.

Gifts to Help New Moms Save Time

If you’re short on cash but want to pamper a new mom, you know, offer the gift of time. Whether the new mom you know is a first-time mom or a veteran, an extra pair of hands is always appreciated!

11. Babysitting 

The ultimate parent gift is babysitting. You can offer to babysit so the parents can have a date night. Or you can babysit so mom can have some alone time, special time with an older child, or simply visit the grocery store alone (I remember that being a colossal luxury!)

12. Cleaning & Laundry

When you come to visit the new baby, start cleaning. Don’t ask what you can do or if she needs help. She’ll probably say no. Just look around and see what needs to be done and dig in! 

So many new moms are embarrassed because they feel like they’re supposed to be able to do it all, but it’s unrealistic. Having a baby is a major medical event, and moms need serious postpartum recovery time without the hassle of cooking, cleaning, and laundry!

13. Watching the Baby So Mom Can Sleep 

Another babysitting option is coming over to watch the baby so mom can sleep. It sounds simple, yet so many new moms spend the time they should be sleeping catching up on housework. I know I was guilty of it plenty of times! 

Mom gets to sleep and catches up on some much-needed rest, and you can hang out with an adorable baby (and possibly an older sibling!)

14. Cooking a Meal

Cooking a meal isn’t exactly free unless you’re cooking food they already have at home. But even so, putting together a lasagna or even purchasing a frozen one and bringing it over already cooked is a significant thing you can do for new parents. 

You don’t need to be a gourmet chef to cook a meal and take one more task off mom’s plate for the day!

15. Childcare Pick-Up/Drop-Off 

If mom has an older sibling in childcare or school, offering to help out with drop off and pick up is a huge help! Newborns have demanding schedules, and unfortunately, for the first four or so months, they’re the boss of when they eat and sleep.

 No one wants to wake up a baby to put them in the car or keep a baby awake from a nap to do the same. If your child happens to attend the same childcare or school, offer to help with the driving when possible. 

Best Skincare and Beauty Products for Pregnant & New Moms

Pregnant moms are said to glow, but new moms usually feel tired and like they need a little help getting that glow back! So here are five great ideas to pamper any pregnant or new mom.

16. Palmer’s Skincare

Palmer’s products have long been a favorite of mine. They smell good, they work well, and they’re perfect for just about all skin types! Plus, they're inexpensive and natural.

Palmer’s Skin Therapy Oil for face or body oil are perfect for pregnant and postpartum moms. You can also purchase the complete stretch mark care kit, which includes body oil, belly butter, body lotion, and massage cream.

17. Nipple Cream

Nipple cream may seem like an odd gift, but if you know a breastfeeding mom, it’s guaranteed she’ll thank you!

Tiny Human lanolin-free Nipple Crack is perfect for the organic mama, or you can gift the traditional best-selling Lansinoh Lanolin Nipple Cream. Both are soothing to the mom and safe for the baby.

18. Facial & Eye Masks

Face masks and eye masks are soothing treats for sleep-deprived moms. Not only do they feel calm and soothing, but they can help reduce puffiness and dark circles under the eyes, making mom feel more confident about her appearance. 

19. Kneipp Lavendar Body Oil

Kneipp Lavender Body Oil smells excellent and is a relaxing treat to pamper new moms. She can apply it after a bath or shower, or her partner can use it to give her a back or foot massage.

Kneipp also makes lavender-scented bath oil, body wash, bath salts, and bubble bath. 

20. Burt’s Bees Mama Belly Butter

I am a huge fan of Burt’s Bees products. They’re natural, smell great, and get the job done! Their Mama Belly Butter with shea butter and vitamin E is the perfect postpartum pampering gift. This luxurious belly butter makes a great stand-alone gift, or include it as part of a pampering gift basket. 

Gifts to Spoil Your Partner After Birth

21. Romantic Date Night

Treat your partner to a romantic date night. Hire a babysitter, make a reservation, and watch the baby so she can shower and get ready. Then spoil her by taking her out for a night where she can just relax and be herself. 

Chances are, a few weeks after your little one arrives, you could both use a romantic night of being a couple and not new parents!

22. Special Keepsake

Spoil your party by giving them a keepsake of her pregnancy or your new baby. It could be a baby book to record all the upcoming milestones, a piece of jewelry, or a picture frame with your baby’s first photo. 

23. Audible Subscription 

If your partner loves books and reading, chances are she won’t have much time during the first few months the baby is born. Gift her an Audible subscription so she can listen to books while feeding the baby, going for walks, or just doing tasks around the house.

24. Custom Made Gift

Surprise your partner with a custom-made gift. The sky is the limit on this idea. Check out Etsy or Pinterest for inspiration. 

It could be anything from a matching set of loungewear for her and a onesie for the baby, a coffee mug to keep her drink warm around the house, or a birthstone gift. 

25. Her Favorite Meal or Caffeinated Drink

A simple yet wonderful thing you can do for your partner after the baby is born is to surprise them with their favorite meal or caffeinated beverage. 

For example, if she’s been avoiding sushi for nine months, now is the time to order a boatload of takeout. Or, come home one day with the biggest frozen coffee you can find!

Spoiling and pampering the new mom in your life doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg or take a massive chunk of time. The little things you do and offer will make a difference to her and make her feel special and loved, and remind her that it is vital to set aside time to pamper herself!